Matrix-making machine.



Patented 00L- 2I, |902.

G. B. SHEPABD. MATRIX M'AKING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 6, 1891.)

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VPatented 0ct.`2l, 1902. G. B. SHEPARD. l MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Application mled Nov. e, i891.)

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No. 7|I,598.v Patented Oct. 2|, |902. l

G. B. SHEPARD.' MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 6, 1891.)

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(No Model.)

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N0.- 7||,593. Patented 06f. 2|, |902.

G. B. SHEPARD. MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Applikation ined Nov. 1891.)

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(lo Model.)

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No. 7||,593`. Patented oct.12| |902.

G. B. SHEPABU. MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

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' .Patented 0.21.21; |902. B. sHEPAmJ.

MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led Ngv. 6, l1891.) Y

(N0 Model.)

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No. 7||,593. Patented (m21, |902.

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MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led Nov. 8, 1891.) (No Model.) Sheets-sheet s.

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XXII- l XIS/:I-LEEEEE No. 711,593. Patented out. 2|, |902..

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MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

. :Application le'd Nov. 6,*1891.)

(No Model.) u sheets-sheet 9.

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' No; 7|l,593.l Y Patented Oct. 2|, 1902'.

s. B. sHEPAn.

mATmx MAKING MACHINE. (Application led Nov. 6, 1891.) (No Model.)

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W; Ear-EEES' Y Y II/l-m No. 7||,593. Patented out. 2|, |902.

s. B. sHEPAMn.

MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

(Application !ed Nov. 6, 1891.) (Nol Model.)

Il Sheets-Sheet Il.

WTNESSES: SA l Si Q w? MQ-@ W l ATTORNEY-S,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE B. SHEPARD, OF OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK.

MATRIX-MAKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 711,593, dated October 21, 1902. Application filed November 6, 1891. Serial No, 411.050 (No model.)

T0 G/ZZ wwwt it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. SHEPARD, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Ogdensburg, in the county of St. Lawrence and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Matrix-Making Machine, of which the following is a speciiication.

The subject of my invention is a machine for producing matrix-sheets for stereotype or electrotype plates. The matrix material is carried in a web or sheet upon reels mounted, together with a cylindrical platen, in a frame having an oscillating movement and imparting step-by-step rotation to the platen after each stroke, so as to produce impressions line by line in the matrix-sheet. Separate fonts of type are arranged in vertical series, in the order of their width, in tapering holders arranged alternately as to their wide and narrow ends and shifted independently to bring the required types into alin emen t. The selected line of type is lifted relatively to the holders, firmly supported in its elevated position, and clamped within the required width of page or column preparatory to each impression.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure I, Sheet l, is a side elevation of a matrix-making machine embodying my invention. Fig. Il, Sheet 2, is an end elevation of the same. Fig. III, Sheet 3, is a plan of said machine. Fig. IV, Sheet 4, is a transverse section of a part of the machine in the plane of the type-lifter. Fig. V, Sheet l, shows the type-lifterdetached. Fig.VI, Sheet 5, is an end View; and Fig. VII, Sheet 5, is a side view, which show portions of the cylindrical platen, the type-lifter, and coacting parts. Fig. VIII, Sheet 5, shows the moistener by front view and the drying cylinder by axial section. Fig. IX, Sheet 5, shows said lnoistener and said drying-cylinderin end elevation. IFig. X, Sheet 4, is an axial section, and Fig. XI, Sheet 4, is an end view, of the receiving-reel. Fig. XII, Sheet 6, is a side view of a portion of the type-holder with some type in position. Fig. XIII, Sheet 6,

is a plan of a portion of a series of such typeholders, showing the relative position in which the same are grouped upon my said machine. Fig. XIV, Sheet 6, is a transverse section, on a larger scale, of three contiguous type-holders. Fig. XV, Sheet 6,1is a top view showing the relative position of the type within such type-holder. Fig. XVI

Sheet 6, is a side view of the nger-lever and lockingfpin employed upon thek forward end of my type-holder, part of the supporting bed-plate being represented in section. Fig. XVII, Sheet 5, is a perspective view of the moistener. Fig. XVIII, Sheet 4, is a vertical section which shows a series of said typeholders in their expanded condition and with types in position. Fig. XIX, Sheet 4, is a like section of the same contracted so as to clamp the rows of type. Fig. XX, Sheet 7, shows by side elevation a modified form of my matrix-machine, a portion of the side of the base being cut away to show the arrangement of rocking levers and the rods which connect the index-bars with their respective type-holders. Fig. XXI, Sheet 8, is an end elevation, and Fig. XXII, Sheet 9,'is aplan, of said modified form. Fig. XXIII, Sheet 10, is a diagram representing the mechanism which connects the index-bars with their respective type-holders in the said modified form of my machine. Fig. XXIV, Sheet 6, is a top view which represents portions of such index-bars, showing the arrangement of lettering thereon. Fig. XXV, Sheet 11, is a detail perspective'view of the indicating device hereinafter described.

1 represents a base or bed plate; 2, standards erected thereupon; 3, astrut which connects the tops of said standards.

4 is a rocking frame supported on fulcrums 5 upon the base and coupled to said strut 3 by a toggle 6 7. Journaled in frame 4 is my delivery-M118, upon which the roll of matrix material 9 (preferablya spongy form of cardboard about three-sixteenths of an inch thick) is placed.

l() is my cylindrical platen or pressure-sustaining cylinder. p

1l is my supporting-band, (preferably of steel,) which is stretched about said platen and an idler 12. This steel band serves as a traveling support or backing for the matrix material and insures even feed thereof to the impression-cylinder and thence to the drying-cylinder 13.

IOO

From the drying-cylinder the sheet of matrix material is carried to a taking-up reel 14, whose shaft 15 is jourualed in rocking frame 4 and is provided with spring 16, Fig. X, ratchet device 17, Figs. X and XI, and winding-arbor 18, one member of the ratchet device being mounted on the reel 14 and the other on its winding-arbor 18, Fig. X, so that having been wound up like a clock-spring the recoil of the spring operates to preserve a constant tension on the sheet of matrix material and to wind up the same on said reel. Where necessary, the proper humidity of the matrix material may be preserved by a moistening device, Figs. I, XVII, and XX, consisting of a pan or font 19 and dristributingbrush 20.

21, Figs. VIII and IX, represents a flexible tube which conveys escape-steam through the hollow shaft 22 of the drying-cylinder 13. This shaft is fixed in frame 4, and the said cylinder revolves around it. An orifice 23 in said shaft allows steam to escape into and heat the cylinder. A downturned pipe 24, that communicates with the lower part of said cylinder, conveys water of condensation through hollow shaft and tube 25 at other end of said cylinder to pan or font 19, and thus operates to keep the distributing-brush 2O charged with water. `A moderate pressure of steam within the drying-cylinder 13 will suftice to deliver water of condensation to the `tube 25.

26 is a handle that extending from toggle 6 7 enables the operator to relax or straighten the toggle at will and by so doing to rock the frame 4. Each such oscillation to and fro of the frame 4 causes a spring-pawl 27, Figs. VI and VII, which engages in a circular rack 28 on the cylindrical platen, to rotate the said platen the distance of one line of readingmatter, a spring-detent 29, which also engages in said ratchet, operating to hold the cylinder 10 firmly to such adjustment during the operation of impressing the matrix material with one line or row of characters. `The said action of the spring-pawl 27 is brought about by impact of cam projection 58 of toggle member 7 against screw 59 on said pawl. The precise vibration desired for eifective action of said pawl is obtained by adjusting said screw. The spring-pawl 27 and detent 29 are attached to the rocking frame 4, as shown in Fig. VI.

The machine further comprises a series of type-holders or ltype-receptacle bars 30, supported on the base or bed plate, of which each has an extension 30', provided with a finger-lever 32 and a dog 33, which engages in the teeth of a rack 34, which is securely fastened to the basel. These type-holders are preferably made tapering from end to end, as shown in Figs. XIII, XIV, and XV, for reception of the different widths of type of the kind in ordinary use for printing, the type Z being placed upright therein, with the notched side of 011e type next the opposite side of the next type, and so on until filled. The relative positions of the characters on such type may be varied to suit circumstances, while the general principle of placing the narrowest type at the narrowest end of the type-holder and of graduallyincreasing width toward the wider end of such holder is preserved. The side walls 31 of the type-holders are of steel plate made slightly convex, (see Figs. XIV and XVIIL) so as to allow compression thereof laterally (see Fig. XIX) for the purpose of justifying the line when set. In the bottom of each type-holder is a body of solid metal, as at 31', to limit the drop of the type after the lifter 36 is retracted in the manner presently to be described, and the bottom of said holder has transverse notches 37* (see Fig. XII) to permit entrance of the upper edge of the lifter 36 to raise a line of type for the impression of the matrix-sheet. The said type-holders 30, with their included type, are placed upon the bed-plate alternately, with the wide end of one next the narrow ends of those immediately next to it, and so on throughout Jthe series. The compressible walls 31 of the respective hollow type-holders 30 terminate at their lower ends at the limit of the upward movement of the lifter 36.

The type-lifter 36, Fig. IV, has oblique surfaces 36, against which act similarly oblique edges 37' of a reciprocating cam-bar 37. The motion up and down of lifter 36 is facilitated by antifriction-rollers 38. Stops39, Figs. IV and VI, serve to restrict the action of the lifter 36 toa single row of type, one of said stops 39 being shown in section in the firstmentioned ligure. Each type-holder having been drawn longitudinally of the machine until the character desired is brought into the plane of the lifter is locked in that position by means of the finger-lever 32 and dog 33. Then the abutment 40, carried by the cam-bar 37, Fig. IV, having been pressed inward to the desired distance by means of the handle 41 of the bar 42, Figs. III and IV, is retained to that adjustment by engagement of its bar 42 in one of a series of notches 43a of the rack 43. The jaw 44, carried by the bar 45, Figs. III and IV, is then pressed toward the said abutment by moving its bar 45 inward by rotation of cam 46 by means of its handle 47. This movement of the clamp-jaw 44 relatively to the fixed abutment 40 results in locking the types in their holders, as seen in Fig. XIX.

Each type-holder may be provided with a steel index-ribbon 50, Fig. I, attached to its forward end through the medium of a metallic cord or chain 51, which is carried over a smooth glass or steel bar 52, from which said cords pass downward and around a series of grooved sheaves 53, hung loosely upon a common stud-shaft, so that they may be capable of a slight endwise self-adjustment thereon,and then up over another series of grooved sheaves 54, sleeved upon a common stud-shaft at set distances from center to center. After passing over sheaves 54 these IOO IIO

cords are connected to one end of the said index-ribbons,which are passed around sheaves 53', so that when the type-holder is at its extreme limit of motion away from the index sight or peep hole 55, Fig. XXV,`the end of' the ribbon will just reach the sheave 54.

56 represents sheaves sleeved upon'a common stud-shaft fastened to the framework of the machine, and the periphery of each sheave has a square transverse face of such width as to correspond with the width of the index-ribbons employed, which may he twice the average width of the type-holders, in order to enable said ribbons to be marked with large and conspicuous characters. y

Each sheave 56 is hollow and contains a helical or a volute spring, (see dotted lines 57,) one end of whichis fastened to the inner circumference of such sheave and the other to the stud-shaft, such spring being put under tension sufficient to cause the index-ribbon to wind itself up automatically uponits appropriate sheave whenever relieved from the pull of the attached cord. Between each consecutive two sheaves is placed a thin washer of slightly-greater diameter than that of the sheaves to retain each index-ribbon to its proper sheave. One end of the indexribbon is attached to the periphery of its appropriate sheave 56, so as to readily wind thereupon whenever at liberty so to do. Similar washers may be applied to each series of sheaves. Springs 80, FigIH, are provided to prevent spreading of the gang of typeholders when moved rearward. u

In operating the form of machine above shown I first throw back the rocking frame 4 toward the rear of the machine by means of the handle 26, attached to the toggle-lever bars 6 and 7, thereby raisinglhe impressioncylinder or cylindrical platen 10 from contact with the type. I then set each type bar or holder at the position desired by means of the finger-lever 32, which is first raised in upright position, releasing the dog'33 from the rack 34 in the bed-plate l, the type-bar being pushed rearwardly or drawn forward, as desired, by hand, the correct position thereof being shown upon the index ribbon 50 lthrough the index sight-opening 55. I then drop the lever 52, so as to lock the dog 33 into the transverse rack shown in bed-plate, Fig. I. I then proceed in like manner with the adjoining type-holders or receptacle-bars from left to right until the width of desired line is more than occupied by the bars so set. The characters showing through thev sightopening 55 indicate the correct reading of the line of types above the lifter 36, and correction of any errors therein can then be made in same manner as originally set. I then set the left-hand margin of the line by means of the stop 40, actuated by the lever 42, which drops into one of a series of notches 43a of a rack 43 of the frame upon the left-hand side, thus holding the lever 42 in a set' position. This lever 42 also actuates the sliding bar 37 visible.

rocking frame 4, as above described.

I then compress-theright-hand margin to proper position by means of the clamp-jaw 44, actuated by the lever 45, which is set laterally in any desired position by means of the cam 46, attached to an extension of the right-hand side of said framework. Upon the upper edge of the sliding bar 37 are cut the vinclines 37 37', which meet similar inclines 36. 36', cut upon the lower edge of the lifter 36, forcing the latter upward when the sliding bar 37 is t'orced from left to right, as above explained. When said lifter 36 Vis forced upward, as above explained, the upper edge thereof engages with the lower ends of the transverse line of types set within the type-receptacle bars 30, forcing such transverse line above the surface of the adjoining types, the motion of such adjoining types being limited by the stops 39, extending transversely above said type-bars and attached to side frame of such machine. When the said transverse line of types is so set and raised,'

I bring forward the rocking frame 4, carrying the matrix material upon the impressioncylinder 10, which has been previously dampened by passing infront of the font 19, and

by straightening the toggle-joints 6 7 by IOO quired between lines by means of the pawl 27, working on the rack 28 upon the end of the impression-cylinder l0. f `This pawl 27, which is pivotally attached to vthe frame 4, is actuated by means of the-cam 58, shown jat the lower end of the toggle-bar 7, through the set-screw 59, the reverse-movement of the impression-cylinder 10 being prevented by means of the dog 29 engaging with said'rack.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, and XXIV the type-holders 30 are designed to be operated through the medium of supplementary index-bars 60, connected to said holders by means of rods 61 62 and the arms 63 64, which extend upward from shaft 65. In this construction such index-bars may be twice'the width of the type-holders to afford space to make characters onsaid bars more plainly bar is placed above the series of index-bars, so as to indicate when the corresponding type is brought in vertical alinem'ent with the lifter 36.

In operating the modified form of my matrix-making machine I first throw back the I then set the type-receptacle bars at the position desired, respectively, by means of the indexbars 60, which carry upon their upper surfaces index-letters, as shown at Fig. XXIV,

An index sight-slot 66er a gage-v IIO these index-letters being set to line under a transverse sight bar or s lot, (shown at 66,) each index-bar being attached at its rear end to an individual rod 62, pivotally connected to the upper end of a reciprocating arm 64, which arm is rigidly connected through the rock-shaft 65 with a similar arm 63 under its connected type-receptacle bar and similarly connected With such type-receptacle bar by means of like pivoted connecting-rod 6l. In this form of the machine the racks 34 in the bed-plate (shown in Figs. I and XVI) and finger-levers 32, Fig. XVI, are mounted in the front ends ofthe index-bars, operating in connection With the said racks precisely as already described with reference to the typebars. It is apparent that each type-receptacle bar connected with its individual indexbar through the system of levers described must exactly coincide with the movement of such index-bar, so that as the index-bar is retracted or advanced to a particular letter so must the type-receptacle bar be retracted or advanced to the same letter, and so on through the series. After the transverse line upon the type-receptacle bars are set as described and corrections made, if needed, the line of type is raised by means of the lifter 36, actuated by the inclines upon the sliding bar 37 in the manner before explained, the sliding bar 37 being attached to the foot-lever 70, as shown at left-hand side in Fig. XXI, by a connecting-rod 7l and bell-crank 72. The line is then compressed to the requisite Width by means of a clamp-jaw, such as already described, actuated by connecting-rod 73 and bell-crank lever 74, through similar footpedal at the left of said machine. The subsequent operation in taking impression upon matrix material then follows, the same as above described. After the matrix material has been impressed as described,so as to form a long strip thereof, l cut it into the length desired for the page or column of printed matter, attach it toa justifying-table or casting-mold (curved or flat, as may be desired) in the desired position for the electrotype when finished and fill the spaces between the edges of such matrix material With papiermache or other suitable material. I then take a casting therefrom in metal in the usual manner for taking stereotype-plates or proceed for the deposition of metal thereon in the usual manner for producing electrotypes.

IIaving thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a machine for making matrices for stereotyping or electrotyping reading matter, the combination with a suitable supporting, guiding and retaining bed, of a series of longitudinally-adjustable type-holding troughs or carriers,having compressible sides tapered from end to end, and arranged on the bed with their tapers extending in opposite directions, a font of character type borne by said carriers and independentlyadjustable therein,means for adjusting the type-carriers 1ongitudinally to bring the required characters into alinement, a type-lifter extending transversely athwart and beneath the type-carriers, means for advancing the type-lifter to elevate the desired line of type, means for retaining the type-carriers in their adjusted position, and compressing them Within the Width of the page or column, a platen depressible relatively to the carriers, matrix material interposed between the platen and the type, and means for feeding the matrix material line byline.

2. In a machine for forming matrices for stereotyping orelectrotyping reading matter, the combination of a series of type-carriers each constructed with compressible sides, a font of character type borne by the said carriers and independently movable therein, for setting a line of type,an adjustable abutment jaw on one side of the set of type-carriers and a clamp-jaw on the other side for justifying and locking the line of type so set.

3. In a machine for forming matrices for stereotyping orelectrotyping reading matter, the combination of a series of independentlyadjustable type-carrying troughs, each bearing a font or complement of separately-movable characters, means for locking said typetroughs in their adjusted position for bringing the required series of characters in line, means for lifting such line of type relatively to the type-troughs, a sheet or ribbon of matrix material carried ou a suitable reel, au intermittently rotated cylindrical platen, means for pressing said cylindrical platen upon the matrix material interposed between it and the line of type, a drying-cylinder and a take-up reel or cylinder for the matrixribbon.

Il. In a machine of the character described, the combination with the impression-cylinder, of the moistening-font, the steam-heated drying-cylinder and the Water-pipe from said drying-cylinder to said font.

5. The combination of a series of alternately-,arranged tapering type-holders each carrying a font of type set to read one above another and of successively-decreasing thickness from end to end of the holder; mechanism for shifting the type-holders independently to bring selected type into alinement;

mechanism to lift the selected line of type and support it in raised position; a cylindrical platen and reels carrying a sheet of matrix material mounted in a vibrating frame to take the impression of the line of type; and mechanism imparting step-by-step rotation tothe platen to shift the matrix-sheet line by line after each impression; substantially as described.

6. The combination with a font of looselyfitting type and with suitable clamping devices, of the type holder or bar having a normally bulging spring side, a solid bottom and IOO IIO

transverse notches in the bottom, and means inder is journaled and the adjustable means for compressing such type-barslaterally for for automatic rotation of said cylinder in the justification, substantially as described. intervals of impression. v

7. The combination of type-holders, hav- 9. The combination With the'impression- 15 5 ing the compressible sides, the lateral clamp cylinder of the moistening-font,4 the steamand the connected type-lifting device. heated drying-cylinder and the Water-pipe 8. The combination of individually shiftfrom said drying-cylinder to said font. able type-holders, the locking device there- GEORGE B. SHEPARD. for, the lateral clamping device, the con- Witnesses: Io nected type-lifting device, the impression- LOUIS IIASBROUGK,

cylinder, the rocking frame in which said cyl- LYDIA A. HASBROUCK. 

